Friday 15 December 2017

Superheroes video

A group of Room 4 students have created a short video trailer that has plenty of symbolism.



Click on the word Youtube within the video player if it won't load.

Wednesday 13 December 2017

The boys were baking

Brendon, Angus, Reegan and Zach baked and delivered some Christmas cheer to the Fire Brigade and the Emergency department at the hospital today. Thanks Mr Caley for helping and transporting.

Tuesday 12 December 2017

Spreading more goodness

 Mrs Elmiger and these students delivered some baking to a local rest home.

Paying it forward

Groups of students and parents have continued to bake and deliver the goodness to worthy recipients around town. More to come yet too.



Thanks Viv for helping with this group.


Saturday 9 December 2017

Week 9 Term 4

Our students were brilliant in Mass on Friday, Lily spoke really well, Nathaniel and William controlled the AV and our readers were exceptional. Congratulations to all the prize winners.

Our class and Room 1 are performing a song during the Christmas carols on the field on Monday. Students need to make a maracas or bring one, and also bring some Mexican style clothing (mufti will do).

We are going to try to swim this week, although there are many things on. Students should bring togs every day (Monday - Thursday).

Monday
Christmas carols on the field at 11am.  Everyone is welcome.

Tuesday
Prize giving in the hall at 9am.

Wednesday
Singing practice
Meeting new teachers for 2018 (Year 0-5)

Thursday
Secret Santa in R4. Most students know who they are buying for. Please no more than $5.
Tryathlon (times to be confirmed). All students will be participating. Everyone is welcome.

Friday
Missioning of Year 6 students in the school hall at 11am. School finishes straight afterwards. 1/2 day!


Friday 8 December 2017

Getting started with Minecraft

We are teaching Mr J how to use Minecraft Edu. Here is a short video of one group's project, our school. We are learning to collaborate, communicate and be supportive group members in an online setting. Of course we are having FUN too.

Thursday 7 December 2017

Christmas Cookies

Today Janine, Anya, Brooke and Jaymie baked some cookies for our St Johns staff. Thank you Mrs Hall for helping the girls and also taking them to deliver them.

Hour of Code

This week we have been coding lots, this helps us develop our problem solving skills, reading, creativity and most of all it's fun.


Sunday 3 December 2017

Week 8 Term 4



Monday

Swimming at the Aquatic centre. We will be transported by bus and only be there for an hour.

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday
Go4It PE

Friday
NO SAUSAGE SIZZLE (Finished for the year).
End of Year Mass 1pm (Everyone is welcome to join us in the Church).
Reports are going home.

Week 9 events:
We are swimming.

Monday
Christmas on the field (Everyone is welcome)

Tuesday
Prizegiving -9am

Wednesday

Thursday
Tryathlon

Friday
Missioning of year 6 students - 11am
School finishes at Midday.



Thursday 30 November 2017

Senior School trip to Fairy springs

We had a fantastic trip today, everyone had a great time and truly tested the Big Splash. Thank you parents, Grandparents and others who were able to help make the day such fun.










Wednesday 29 November 2017

Learning financial literacy through Banqer

We though we should share some of our learning that we have done through Banqer, our class banking platform.

Tuesday 28 November 2017

Newshub E5 S4

Brooke, Brendon and a few friends have produced the latest episode of Newshub.

Sunday 26 November 2017

Week 7 Term 4

We have our trip on Thursday, if students haven't already paid $3 and handed in their permission form then please bring them on Tuesday.  We still need a few parent helpers to transport and help for the day ($5).

The Young Vinnies are still collecting cans of food, every can gets your house a point.

Monday
Teacher only day - No school!

Tuesday
Advent liturgy.

Wednesday


Thursday
Senior School trip to Fairy Springs.

Friday
Year 6 Retreat, in the church hall. Year students can wear mufti.
Year 5's will take part in leadership activities at school.

Here is the events calendar for the remainder of the year.

Friday 24 November 2017

Spending our Banqer money

Today Una and Imogen got tho have morning tea in the staffroom with Mr J and Mr Macmillan. Imogen purchased this for about $16,000 hard earned Banqer dollars.

Sausage sizzle

Today Jett and KJ helped cook the sausages, what a lovely day to be outside having fun. 




Tuesday 21 November 2017

Preparing our speeches

We have been very bust preparing our speeches. We have researched symbolism and Kiwiana, organised our ideas and research on a mind map, typed our speech onto a Google doc, recorded our speech and linked it onto our blog, and finally we are creating cue cards to help us present our speeches.



Below is Janine's speech, check out the student blogs link on the left to hear some more.

Sunday 19 November 2017

Week 6 Term 4

On Tuesday the Year 6 students are visiting JPC for the afternoon. Please note there is not transport provided, Students need to be at JPC at 12pm.

We are going to Rainbow Fairy Springs on 30th November. We need some parents/ Grandparents to help transport and supervise. Notices will be coming home this week. Please email me if you are available to help. The cost of the trip will be $3 for students and adults will need to pay $5.

We are swimming every day this week.

Monday
Ahurei practice 9-10am

Tuesday
Ahurei practice 9-10am
Interschool Athletics (some students only)


Wednesday
School singing practice

Thursday
Ahurei practice

Friday
Ahurei practice
Sausage sizzle


Coming up


  • 21st November:  JPC Orientation Day for Year 6s
  • 23rd November: Coaches Thank You Evening
  • Friday 24th November: Ahurei Performance
  • 27 November: Teacher Only Day
  • 30 November:  ELL Picnic
  • 30 November: Totara Trip out
  • 30 November: Kakano and Manuka teams’ Celebration with parents
  • 1st December: Year 6 Retreat
  • 2nd December: Rotorua Christmas Parade
  • 7th December: Junior Big Day Out
  • 8th December: Reports issued to Yr 3-6 students
  • 8th December: End of year Mass
  • 12th December: Prizegiving
  • 13th December: Junior Athletics Day
  • 14th December: School Tryathlon
  • 15th December: Missioning of Year 6 students




Friday 17 November 2017

Newshub E4 S4

Here is this week's Newshub. Produced by Brendon and Reegan.

Watch via Youtube if it doesn't load for you.

Swimming

This week we have been having extra swimming lessons with the instructors from Swim Rotorua.

Sausage sizzle

This week Ava and Jett cooked the sausages. Yummy!

Wednesday 15 November 2017

Sunday 12 November 2017

Week 5 Term 4


  • We are starting our Young Vinnies can collection for Christmas. Please bring in a can of food to donate. Write your house on it so you get a point for your house. 
  • Please check you have enough stationery - Notes went home to parents last week. 
  • All students need to be in correct uniform - Mr Macmillan spoke to our class last week about too many studnets wearing incorrect hats and jumpers. 
  • There will be extra Kapahaka practices this week for students involved in Ahurei. 

  • Year 6 Orientation Day. You will have been advised by JPC via email that this day is the 21st of November and runs from 12 pm until 2.30 pm. This year a bus will NOT be provided by JPC therefore parents will need to take children to, and pick up from JPC. We understand that this will be difficult for some working parents and would suggest you might like to share transporting with other families. 



Monday
Swimming

Tuesday
Swimming

Wednesday
Swimming

Thursday
Swimming

Friday
Sausage sizzle
Swimming
Mufti Day - Gold coin donation for Young Vinnies.  Dress as your favourite book character.

Upcoming dates:


  • 17th November: Young Vinnies Mufti Day
  • 21st November:  JPC Orientation Day for Year 6s
  • 23rd November: Coaches Thank You Evening
  • Friday 24th November: Ahurei Performance
  • 27 November: Teacher Only Day
  • 30 November:  ELL Picnic
  • 30 November: Totara Trip out
  • 30 November: Kakano and Manuka teams’ Celebration with parents
  • 1st December: Year 6 Retreat
  • 2nd December: Rotorua Christmas Parade
  • 7th December: Junior Big Day Out
  • 8th December: Reports issued to Yr 3-6 students
  • 8th December: End of year Mass
  • 12th December: Prizegiving
  • 13th December: Junior Athletics Day
  • 14th December: School Tryathlon
  • 15th December: Missioning of Year 6 students

Friday 10 November 2017

Grandparents day celebrations

We had a fantastic celebration with our Grandparents today.  Thank you to everyone who attended, below are a small selection of the celebration photos.

Sunday 5 November 2017

Week 4 Term 4

Monday
Puberty Lessons Yr 6 and  Leadership Yr 5.

Tuesday
PE - Bring your PE gear.
Puberty Lessons Yr 6 and  Leadership Yr 5.

Wednesday
Puberty Lessons Yr 6 and  Leadership Yr 5.

Thursday
School Athletics - Meet at Stadium No. 2 field at 8:45am.
There will be no sausage sizzle on Thursday.

Friday
Grandparents day
Mass at 9am
Shared morning tea (All students please bring something to share with our class)
School performances after morning tea (Kapahaka, PI group, Gymnastics, Filipino group,

Upcoming dates:


  • 17th November: Young Vinnies Mufti Day
  • 21st November:  JPC Orientation Day for Year 6s
  • 23rd November: Coaches Thank You Evening
  • Friday 24th November: Ahurei Performance
  • 27 November: Teacher Only Day
  • 30 November:  ELL Picnic
  • 30 November: Totara Trip out
  • 30 November: Kakano and Manuka teams’ Celebration with parents
  • 1st December: Year 6 Retreat
  • 2nd December: Rotorua Christmas Parade
  • 7th December: Junior Big Day Out
  • 8th December: Reports issued to Yr 3-6 students
  • 8th December: End of year Mass
  • 12th December: Prizegiving
  • 13th December: Junior Athletics Day
  • 14th December: School Tryathlon
  • 15th December: Missioning of Year 6 students

Thursday 2 November 2017

Newshub

Here is the latest episode of the R4Studios Newshub.

Emmaus Icon

As part of Bishop Steve's "With Burning Hearts," focus the Emmaus icon has been visiting many of the Catholic churches in our Diocise.

Today we read scripture from the Bible, (Luke 24: 13-35) The Emmaus story.  Afterwards we visited our church to see the icon and reflect on the story.



Sunday 29 October 2017

Week 3 Term 4

We are swimming this week (Monday-Thursday).

Emmaus Icon Visits St Mary's Church this Thursday. The icon is travelling around the Diocese as part of Bishop Steve's 'Hearts Burning' focus. Father has invited and urged for classes and families to visit it while it is here and say a short prayer before it. 

Monday
Last day for Calendar art orders to the office.

Tuesday

Student Led conferences
To book an interview please follow this process -
parent/teacher interview school bookings
event code hmm6n

*Please note that bookings are at 5 minute intervals - expect the Student Led Conference to take approximately 15 minutes.

Athletics practice (bring your PE gear)

Wedensday
8.45 am Rosary (Juniors leading)

Thursday
Go4It PE (bring your PE gear)
All Souls/Saints Liturgy in the school hall at 10am.
Order Juicies and sausages for tomorrow.

Friday
School Athletics for Year 3-6:       (Studnets go straight to the Stadium No. 2 ground)
Year 3-6 Inter House Athletics is this Friday 3rd November 8:45-2:30pm
We are still looking for parents to assist us on the day. If you are able to help please email Lorna Dobson in Room 6. lornad@stmarysrotorua.school.nz
If your child requires a sausage and juicy lunch they will need to be ordered on Thursday.


It would be wonderful to have you spend the day with us.


Next week
Grandparents/Friends Mass and Picnic is week 4 Friday 10th November. 
Starts with Mass at 9:00, then refreshments at the school, then a mini concert from our various school groups. Weather permitting it will be outside on the field. Newbies welcomed also-Room 10.

Emmaus Icon Visits St Mary's Church this Thursday. The icon is travelling around the Diocese as part of Bishop Steve's 'Hearts Burning' focus. Father has invited and urged for classes and families to visit it while it is here and say a short prayer before it. 

Friday 27 October 2017

Wednesday 25 October 2017

Monday 23 October 2017

Week 2 Term 4

Quite a few notices this week.

No swimming this week (odd weeks only)

Year 6 Parents meeting 5pm in R3
All Year6 student's parents are invited to hear information about the Pre-puberty unit.

Working Bee on Saturday
Next weekend we are have a working bee at our school. We have a number of jobs on our list ranging from handy-man jobs, spreading cushionfall under the senior playground, maintenance on the senior playground, replacing rotten palings on our boundary fences, repairing the tops of our garden plots, putting up the shade cloth and I am sure there will be plenty more jobs to do. Come along and meet other parents, enjoy a morning tea and a delicious lunch. Children are welcome also. For catering purposes please let the office know if you can assist, even if it is for an hour or two.

Sacramental programme
We would like all our school families to consider having their child make their First Holy Communion and Reconciliation. This is a notice from our parish.


ENROLMENT FOR THE SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME: LAST CHANCE TO ENROL. THIS TUESDAY.
The Sacramental Programme is for children who wish to make their First
Holy Communion and Confirmation and also a serious commitment to the
practice of their Catholic Faith. The enrolment is at St Mary’s Catholic
Church 7.00 pm, THIS TUESDAY 24th October. There will be a briefing
on the Sacramental Programme, dates will be given and a fee of $25.00 per
child is to be paid either by cheque or cash. Children who have not been
baptised in Rotorua will need to bring their baptismal certificate.
The children are required to be 8 years old by 1st November 2017. Children
who are not baptised and would like to become Catholics are also welcome

to be a part of the Sacramental Programme.

Student Led conferences
Tuesday 31 October (booking information will be out during this week ).

Uniform
All students are expected to be in summer uniform for the rest of the year, this includes sandals and a school hat. Students that don't have a school hat will need to play under shade at break times. (Corbin and Leah, your hats are in class).

Tuesday
Visitor (Sign language)
Year 6 Parents meeting. 5pm in R3.
Wednesday
Last day for reading Logs
Rosary (8:45am, Juniors leading)
Thursday
GO4It and Athletics practice (Bring your PE gear)
Friday
Sausage Sizzle
PI group practice
R16/17 Assembly
Saturday
Working Bee





Friday 20 October 2017

Go4It



Today we went to Go4It with Tim and we learnt a new game called...
the game that Tim tough us was a mix of all different types of spots like for example basketball with defending and rugby with kicking and passing and all different types sports it was relay fun because it was mixed so it was fun to kick and fun to pass with your hands.



Wednesday 18 October 2017

Rosary

Today the Senior School led the school in a Rosary liturgy. All the children read really well and helped the younger children learn about the Rosary.

Defining Symbolism


Easy Blog Photo
Looking into Symbolism today. We discussed and displayed what we think Symbolism is and then we thought about some "What if?" questions.


Friday 13 October 2017

Week 1 Term 4

Ki ora, I hope everyone has had happy and restful holiday. Here are the notices for week 1.
Remember - Summer uniform. 
We are swimming during odd weeks this term.

Monday
Swimming - bring your togs

Tuesday
Swimming - bring your togs

Wednesday
Swimming - bring your togs
Rosary (8:45am)
Kapahaka performing at citizenship ceremony (some students only)

Thursday
Swimming - bring your togs
Go4It - bring your PE gear.
Kapahaka

Friday
Swimming - bring your togs
Discover China day
Sausage sizzle

Remember to bring in your reading logs.

Saturday 30 September 2017

End of term food fun

Today we made pizzas to eat. The students were very well organised and brought their toppings then used the school pizza ovens to cook their pizzas.



Una and Nathaniel had the responsibility of cooking the sausages for the school this week. Looks like fun. Thanks Viv for allowing R4 students to help cook the sausages each week.

Thursday 28 September 2017

Wednesday 27 September 2017

Scratch games

Today a number of classes from the middle and junior school came to Room 4 to play our Scratch Cycles games. It was very busy and great fun. The junior students gave us some great feedback to improve our games.



Sunday 24 September 2017

Week 10 Term 3

Reminder:
Forms for parent input into 2018 class placements were issued the week before last to each student. Parents  - please note these forms need to be returned by Friday 29 September if you wish us to consider your input. The forms need to be returned to the big blue postal box in the student foyer. 

Thanks to those parents who have already returned the form for their children.
If you have mislaid or not seen the form you can collect a copy from the School Office or go to this link  

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday
#R4Studios presents the Cycles games that we have been working on throughout this term Everyone is welcome. 1:30-3pm.

Thursday
Kaphaka
Last warmer day - bring something yummy to warm up for lunch. 

Friday
Pizza day - Studnets will be bringing toppings for their pizzas and cooking them for morning tea/lunch.
P.I group practice
Assembly (R12)


Holidays!!!!!
Click here to see what's being offered at the Rotorua Library during the holidays. 
reading logs will be coming home this week - Students who read during the holidays are in the draw to win some prizes from Mr Macmillan's goodie cupboard. 


Friday 22 September 2017

Monday 18 September 2017

Dance

Today the Lakes Performing Arts company ran a workshop for our class. We learned some hip hop and contemporary dance routines.

Sunday 17 September 2017

Week 9 Term 3

Hello Lunchonline Families!

Good news! Pita Pit will deliver to St Mary’s Catholic School on Tuesdays, Wednesdaysand Thursdays!  Starts next week.

Order now on  www.lunchonline.co.nz

Monday

Tuesday
Dance workshop

Wednesday
Singing practice

Thursday
Warmer day - bring something yummy to warm up for lunch.
Kapahaka
PTA Disco 5:30 - 7pm.

Friday
P.I group practice
GoldenTime - Making candy floss. Bring a few teaspoons of sugar. Only those who remember will get to make candy floss.
Sausage Sizzle


Friday 15 September 2017

Sausage Sizzle

This week Avaani, Alex and Riley helped cook the sausages. Looks like they were having fun.

Swimming with Henk

This week we have been swimming with Henk. Having fun in the pool.